Monaghan Waldorf School -
Education for our time.
Monaghan Waldorf School -
Monaghan Waldorf School -
Monaghan Waldorf School -
The Cygnet's Nest Pre-School & Monaghan Waldorf School is an independent and non-denominational school that has been founded by a group of parents living throughout County Monaghan and beyond, who have come together with a shared passion for Waldorf education. This is an incredible opportunity not only for our own children but for others in the area who wish to explore this type of education.
We first found each other in early 2022, through a poster calling out for parents interested in seeking Waldorf education for their children. Since then, united by great passion and commitment, we formed friendships, established a playgroup, and built a strong community. And then, after much discussion, hard work and engagement, we were delighted to welcome our first students in September 2023 to begin learning at the farmhouse in the Ballybay Wetlands Centre. As group, we ourselves continue to learn throughout this process, and we look to the future and hope to have a thriving Waldorf school in coming years. Our plans for the upcoming school year are to lease the main building at the wonderful Wetlands Centre, and to have 22 kindergarten (ECCE pre-school) children, with approximately 15 to 20 primary school children enrolled from our bridge classes (junior and senior infants) through to classes one, two and three (first, second and third class equivalent) for the upcoming school year.
We are drawn to the location of the Ballybay Wetlands Centre for various reasons and feel a true connection with this space and the ethos of our school. We feel that bringing education back to the heart of the Wetlands Centre is a wonderful initiative, and also a much needed resource for the local community where places for childcare are limited.
A little bit of insight into Waldorf/Steiner education:
Waldorf education allows children the space and freedom to grow into the well-rounded adults they deserve to be. Our aim is always to create a love of learning that will last a lifetime and we do this by working with the natural phases a child will go through, rather than rushing them through a rigorous academic schedule. This means at every age, our students are able to explore developmentally-appropriate curriculum that offers ample opportunity to be creative through hands-on activities.
There is a deep connection to daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms.This relationship to nature with its cyclical rhythms and festivals, develops reverence and gratitude. Building a strong inner life leads not only to creativity but also to resilience in the face of challenge and hardship. Everything taught is permeated with artistry. There are few textbooks and minimal homework. There is energy and rhythm, and teaching which imparts joy and enthusiasm to participate in all of life with an emphasis on the reality that life is a living thing, life is for doing! Above all it is a striving to be our best – but never a competition. It is something we all participate in, learning to work in harmony with the strengths and weakness of ourselves and others. There is a natural symbiosis with wider nature - observing, noticing, appreciating - and an awakening.
Current childhood is very demanding, and our youth are facing a new frontier with the techno/sociological changes in the world. Coping with tensions requires self confidence and flexibility to learn new things. And so faced with these challenges, and a sense of disillusionment with the current system, we seek an alternative that aims to nourish our children and guide them to live life to the full as openminded caring and responsible individuals – facing the world with courage, free from prejudice. We hope for our children, an education that ignites in them an interest in the world, allowing them to unfold and grow up in a healthy way. We wish for them a warm and welcoming environment, where they may feel a true sense of belonging. We find that Waldorf education imbues all of these childhood imperatives in the most gentle and joyful way, by providing a more human education in a nurturing environment.
Waldorf education encompasses the head, the heart and the hands. Striving towards strengthening the will - which requires proper nourishment in education. The will is our drive – to be active; to work; to learn; to be independent; to be an individual; to take the initiative. And this underpins Steiner education.
Waldorf is the fastest growing education movement worldwide, and the largest that is free from state, church or commercial interest. It is a network, a community and it is no surprise that such widespread support for Waldorf education has sustained for over 100 years. Each and every school was started by someone who wanted something new for their children, and we now find ourselves doing the same.
We are delighted to be able to welcome new children to our school for the 2024/2025 school year commencing in September. Enrolment forms can be downloaded below, and sent in to the school via email (info@monaghanwaldorfschool.ie) or posted to:
Monaghan Waldorf School, Derryvally Farmhouse, Clones Road, Ballybay, Monaghan, Ireland, A75 E268
Our kindergarten (pre-school) fees are €70 per week, which is covered by ECCE for eligible children. Where a child is not eligible for ECCE, the NCS will help towards the cost of the fees.
Please contact us for information on primary school fees.
Useful resources below include the calendar of term dates & festivals for both pre-school (kindergarten) & primary school, along with the ECCE sessional service fee table and calendar, along with the pre-school (kindergarten) parent handbook.
With gratitude to Conor Donelan for providing us with the footage.
The Wetlands, Clones Road, Derryvally, Ballybay, Monaghan, A75 HF78
Email: info@monaghanwaldorfschool.ie Whatsapp/text/call: 0879587116
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